Have you every noticed that its easier to start the fire pit these days than when we were kids? It has been snowing here in Colorado for about two days and now our pit has challenges. My 10 year old twins, however, are determined that they can get it going! We have tried this before and I tell you, I have lost my touch. Back when I was a kid, it only took one spark and that fire was a blazing!
As I said, I have been here before. I have spent hours, drying out the wood, cleaning out the pit, and preparing the entire event. A lot of thought goes into the ordeal. Not to mention the time it takes to put the fire out! That is where I am usually left holding the bag. I am sure the Dads out there understand this one. Why am I left cleaning up the mess from the fire? I guess the less experienced fire starters do not consider the time time it also takes to put that thing out! You can’t just walk away, its dangerous!
The Book of James talks about this same idea. James warns us to, “Consider what a great forest is set ablaze by such a small spark!” He was of course talking about our tongue and the destructive power that it has over our lives and the lives of others.
Perhaps you have noticed how easy it is to let our words get the best of us? Without thinking, we can inadvertently say the wrong thing, at the wrong time, and burn up the relationships that often mean the most. James goes on to say that, “the tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire…” Similar to the fire pit, it takes much longer to rebuild a relationship once burned, than it does to start one.
Like my now soaked fire pit, there is only one way to tame the tongue; living water. Being in God’s word everyday is the only way we stand a chance in extinguishing the pride of life that fuels the fire. Walking close to the Lord will help us to “cool” our tongues. It will give us a greater consciousness of the words we say and the effect they have on people. Our words have the power to lift up. Our words have the power to encourage. Our words have the power to bring light into the darkness that those around us are walking in. Choose life!
Living a courageous life means considering others as more important than ourselves.
TCL Team~
The Courageous Life 